NEET SS Counselling 2025 will now have a Special Stray Vacancy Round. This decision comes after a Supreme Court order that reduced the qualifying percentile from 50th percentile to 30th percentile.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) announced that the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) will conduct this special counselling round. It will be held for DM, M.Ch, and DNB Super Speciality (SS) seats that remained vacant after Round 2 of counselling.
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The decision follows the Supreme Court order dated September 17, 2026, in W.P. (Civil) No. 771 of 2026, Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association & Anr Vs. Union of India & Ors.
If you became eligible after the percentile was reduced, or if you did not get any seat in the earlier rounds, you can take part in this special round.
Why Is the Special Stray Vacancy Round Being Held?
The NEET SS Counselling 2025 Special Stray Vacancy Round is being held because the qualifying percentile has been reduced from 50th to 30th.
This round is meant to fill DM, M.Ch, and DNB SS seats that remained vacant after Round 2 of counselling. Because of the lower qualifying percentile, more candidates can now become eligible for these seats.
Who Can Participate?
You can take part in this special round if you did not get any seat in the previous counselling rounds.
You can also participate if you became eligible after the qualifying percentile was reduced to the 30th percentile.
However, there is one important rule. This is a Non-Upgradation Round. If you already got a seat in an earlier counselling round, you cannot use this round to get a better seat or another college.
Important Details You Should Know
Before taking part in NEET SS Counselling 2025, you should know these important points.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Round | Special Stray Vacancy Round |
| Conducting Body | NBEMS through MCC |
| Courses Covered | DM, M.Ch and DNB SS |
| Previous Qualifying Percentile | 50th Percentile |
| New Qualifying Percentile | 30th Percentile |
| Round Type | Non-Upgradation |
| Supreme Court Order Date | September 17, 2026 |
| Tamil Nadu In-Service Seats Reversion | September 28, 2026 |
What Is the Non-Upgradation Rule?
The NEET SS Counselling 2025 Special Stray Vacancy Round is only for candidates who are still waiting for a seat or who became eligible after the percentile was reduced.
If you already received a seat in an earlier counselling round, your seat will not be upgraded through this round.
Update on Tamil Nadu In-Service Seats
MCC has also shared an important update about Tamil Nadu in-service seats.
If any in-service seats remain vacant after the Tamil Nadu State Stray Vacancy Round, they are expected to be returned by the Tamil Nadu State Counselling Authority on September 28, 2026.
After these seats are returned, they will be added to the All India NEET SS Counselling 2025 seat matrix. This means eligible candidates may get more seats to choose from during the special round.
MCC Releases Vacancy Seat Matrix
MCC has released the updated vacancy seat matrix for NEET SS Counselling 2025 on September 25, 2026.
You can check the vacancy seat matrix on the official MCC website (mcc.nic.in). The seat matrix shows which DM, M.Ch, and DNB SS seats are still vacant, so you can make a better choice while selecting your college and course.
What Should You Do Next?
If you are eligible for the NEET SS Counselling 2025 Special Stray Vacancy Round, keep checking the official MCC website for the counselling schedule and other updates.
You should also check the latest vacancy seat matrix before filling your choices. Complete every counselling step on time so you do not miss this final chance to get admission.
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FAQs
1. Why has the NEET SS Counselling 2025 Special Stray Vacancy Round been announced?
- The NEET SS Counselling 2025 Special Stray Vacancy Round has been announced after the Supreme Court’s September 17, 2026 order, which reduced the qualifying percentile from 50th to 30th. This special round will help fill DM, M.Ch, and DNB Super Speciality seats that remained vacant after Round 2.
2. Who can participate in the NEET SS Counselling 2025 Special Stray Vacancy Round?
- You can participate if you did not get any seat in the previous counselling rounds or if you became eligible after the qualifying percentile was reduced to 30th percentile. However, candidates who already received a seat in an earlier round cannot get an upgraded seat because this is a Non-Upgradation Round.
3. What is the new qualifying percentile for NEET SS Counselling 2025?
- The qualifying percentile for NEET SS Counselling 2025 has been reduced from 50th percentile to 30th percentile following the Supreme Court’s order. This change allows more eligible candidates to take part in the Special Stray Vacancy Round.
4. What is the update on Tamil Nadu in-service seats in NEET SS Counselling 2025?
- MCC has said that any Tamil Nadu in-service seats left vacant after the state’s Stray Vacancy Round are expected to be returned on September 28, 2026. After that, these seats will be added to the All India NEET SS Counselling 2025 seat matrix, giving eligible candidates more seat options.
